EN3213 Postcolonial Literature and Theory

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

12.00 noon Wed and 12.00 noon Fri

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L M Burns

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Lorna Burns (LMB21)

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

A diverse and contested field, postcolonialism explores a world transformed by European exploration, exploitation and empire-building. This course examines literary representations of this world and will introduce students to a range of key texts, critical debates and theoretical concepts in postcolonial studies. Focusing, in particular (but not exclusively), on the legacies of the British empire, we will explore the work of writers from across Africa, the Caribbean, India and Britain in order to question the ways in which postcolonial literature and theory challenges our understanding of race, class, gender, language and the individual. (Group E)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS EN2003 AND PASS EN2004

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 1-hour seminars, and 2 optional consultative hours.

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

280

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Analyse and assess the work of a range of twentieth and twenty-first century writers drawn from across the postcolonial world.
  • Articulate an understanding of the relationship between literature, history and society within the context of legacies of imperialism and multiculturalism.
  • Reflect upon and utilise some of the key theoretical interventions and concepts employed in the study of postcolonial literatures.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of how literature and language produce and reflect cultural change and difference.
  • Research, develop and present ideas effectively in written form
  • Identify and discuss key literary movements and thematic issues in both postcolonial and black British and British Asian literatures.